John Hebenton's Podcast

Readings:

Hebrew Scripture:      Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm:                         107:1-3,17-22

Epistle:                        Ephesians 2: 1-10

Gospel:                        John 3:14-21

What I want to say:

We began by watching part of the video -  St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness, looking particularly at the Hermitage, Solitude and Community.

How do these themes help us this Lent?

Then John uses the Jerusalem Bible version of Ephesians “We are God’s works of art,”, and asks, do we see ourselves and others as works of art?

He uses this to reflect on John 3 – second half of the conversation with Nicodemus – which is all about identity as well.

Belief as Trust – what does it mean to trust God

-          For our identity – quote Mary MacLeod Bethune (1875–1955)

-          For all we need

Were does the cross fit with all this?

What I want to happen:

Reflect on how "Hermitage, Solitude and Community" help us grow into being God’s works of art, to trust this image and receive the grace to see this in others.

You can read the notes to this sermon here

Last week we talked about “carrying our cross with some examples of “martyrs”. 
When John got home he read about MLK Jr, and some of his experiences with his father in Jim Crow South  – living the truth that he was created a man in the image of God. God made him "Somebody!"  Carrying our cross can be as simple as this.

In light of that explore Exodus 20 – 10 Words – not as something to be done to earn God’s approval, but given to people already brought out o slavery with God’s presence in their midst – in clouds and tent of meeting.10 Words taught them to live as people marked by God’s compassion and generosity – displaying that justice, mercy, aroha for all – Blessed to be a blessing

John portrays Jesus as one step further – not marked by God’s compassion and generosity, but God’s compassion and generosity enfleshed! He is God’s compassion and generosity.

Read John 2 and John’s “Temple Incident” in light of that, remembering that when John is written there is no temple! Jesus is not superseding  the temple – the temple is already gone

Through the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, we are God’s compassion and generosity in our place

What I want to happen:

How do we embody God’s compassion and generosity in our lives.

We finished by watching some of Rev Dr. Rodney Aist's reflections on the desert in the Youtube video "St George's College Jerusalem: Ways in the Wilderness".

You can read the notes for this sermon here

We began by watching Dean Richard talk abut the wilderness, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTZ5cuEz1kk&t=98s>

John then offers some thoughts on how Genesis 17 and Mark 8 help us in this Lenten time.

The Abrahamic Covenant offered in Genesis 12 and 15, and affirmed in Genesis 17 remind us that the blessing is so that the people of God will be a blessing for all people and all creation – so that humanity is restored, and creation renewed. 

Jesus reaffirms this when he says “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Let that blow your minds and change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” What does that look like?

John explores how Caesarea Philippi shapes Peters hopes for this kingdom, and how Jesus rejects this way of violence and power over, as he did in the wilderness. His way is love, replicating the service he received from the angels offering God’s healing mission particularly to the poor, marginalised, rejected. This way can only lead to rejection and death. And Jesus invites us into this way – to follow him, because in this way is life - resurrected life.

Briefly offer Archbishop Janani Luwum as an example of living this way.

What I want to happen:

How does this help us reflect on whose we are, who we are and what is ours to do at this time of change.

You can read the notes to this sermon here

It is Lent – traditionally a time to give something up, to pray and read the bible more, and to support charities. 

John explores the point of all that using his three questions – whose are we, who are we, what is ours to do? He suggests that it is a time to begin again joining in God’s disruptive work in the world

What I want to happen:

People to take the time to both give up things that hinder living as beloved children of God, and take up new practices

You can read the notes to this sermon here

John  uses Mark 1:40-45 to explore some ideas around the point of the healing stories in Mark, using David Loses’ “4 words about Jesus”. (https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/four-words)

What do these teach me/us about God and the divine presence?

What might they say about the Kingdom of God?

How might I live this?

What I want to happen:

How does all this help us be open to invitation in Lent to

We finished by thinking about leprosy today and the work of the Leprosy Mission. We watch this video <https://leprosymission.org.nz/shanne>

You can read the notes for this sermon here

John starts by exploring  what Candlemas is. He then wonders what is revealed of Jesus in story from Mark 1 – that we might see and live in the reign of God today, and  what has this to do with Waitangi Day?

What I want to happen:

-          How are we a restored community of justice, generosity and aroha this Waitangi weekend?

You can read the notes here

John talks about Epiphany and what that is all about, and how we are to read our readings in light of the themes of Epiphany.

He uses the 1 Samuel story to explore place of others in call, especially with young people. Then use this story to talk about call.

Part of call is being knowing God speaks through and works through the unexpected.

Part of call is being found by God through others

When might we say we were found

Who were we revealed to be

How have we and do we continue to live that out

How do we help other people, especially young people, be found?

You can read the notes for this sermon here

John talks about how we have two principal feasts and should not be displaced by any other celebration:  Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord

Originally they were on the same day, and still are for many Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Both stories are unsettling, intense, almost violent. They rupture the lives of those involved

He finishes by asking

• Who is the God revealed in Jesus
• How do we live that revelation

We then watched "Rich" by Rob Bell, part of the Nooma series.

The notes for this sermon can be found here

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, using the story of the Annunciation from Luke's Gospel, John explores who is Mary, and how she might inspire us in our life of faith

And he invites us to reflect on who helps us be disciples and who we help.

You can read the notes here

Last week we were invited to “Wake up!”-  John asks what does that mean for us?

He then uses John 1, particularly John 1: 26+7, and Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, to offer a response - waking up to God’s presence in the light of Christ  in our midst 

He uses Isaiah and Luke 1: 46-55 (Mary’s song of praise and protest) to think about where that light is found today, both within us and in our world.

Using John as our model, how do we bear witness to this light?

Advent is time to take time to nurture that light within, that we might see light of Christ in our world and give witness to it

You can read the notes to this sermon here

John wonders if we hear the call to wake up – In Isaiah, in John the Baptiser, in how Mark introduces his telling of the good news of God found in Jesus. 
He explores each as they stand on their threshold and the urgency of each's message
Do we feel the urgency as we stand on our threshold.

• What thresholds do we stand on?
• In our wilderness what does it mean to wake up and live peace this Advent

You can read the notes here

Rev Debbie Garrett explores the themes of Advent using the gospel passage set for the day -Mark 13:24-37.
In all that is happening in this land and around the world today, we are reminded that God is our source of hope and the provider of joy and peace.

John explores the Reign of Christ from Matthew’s perspective using the Sermon on the Mount in particular, and applying that to the parable of the sheep and the goats.

What warnings do we need to heed as we leave Matthew and enter a new year.

How might  we live the reign of Christ?

You can read the notes to this sermon here

John invites us to think about the Parable of Talents in Matthew 25:14-30  from several perspectives, reminding us that when we can hold those perspectives rather than looking for the one right way of reading it, we will gain a deeper understanding of all Jesus in inviting us to.
He suggests that one we to read this that the Parable of the Talents invites us into the utterly outrageous gift of God’s mercy, love, life; and urgently requires us to live riskily and extravagantly that beatitudes might come to be. But maybe it also offers us the third servant as the "hero" of the story?

What do the talents represent for us, and how might we live them?

You can read the notes to this sermon here

John talks about how St Francis offers us important ways of living for our world today.
He gives thanks for the SPCA and their work inviting us treat all animals with care and respect and working so that all animals thrive.
In this service we give thanks for the animals we share our lives with 

• Acknowledge the important place they hold in our lives
• Celebrate the deep bond we share with them
• Pray for God’s health and life for each of them
• And for their relationship with their human partners

And we pray that through them we might glimpse some of Francis came to live and know so well, and that we might live in ways that all creation and all who live in it might thrive.

John uses those three responses to explore the readings for Ordinary Sunday 32,  especially Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25  and Matthew 25:1-13 .  .
In  reading Matthew, and Jesus' story of the 10 bridesmaids John reflects on the 3 audiences that are involved in listening to this story, and how that helps us hear what it might say to us.
We are invited to get ready to live lives of active waiting for reign of God, living for the long haul but looking for the surprising breakouts of the God’s justice, mercy, compassion and generosity.

In light of all that 
o   So what do you find difficult

o   What do you find challenging

o   What do you find inviting?

o   What does the oil in our lamps represent

o   How do we keep our lamps burning so that we might be light to the world - living the beatitudes

You can read the full notes here

Cliff Simons talks about our early years as a church and when we became St George's

For our St George's Day celebration I wrote this little play about St George, the Serpent (no dragons in this play thank-you!) and the Empress Alexandra (no damsels in this play either - enough of that nonsense.)
Here it is all acted out.
You can find the script here

St Georges Anglican Church - Hori Tapu, has been doing the Season of Creation early. This week is also Matariki - the Māori New Year. John talks a little about the themes of the Season of Creation and how Matariki helps us engage with these. All this was by way of introduction to watching the "Prophetic Indigenous Voices on the Planetary Crisis- Aotearoa & Polynesia" presented at the Lambeth Bishops conference last year.

I've written more about how these themes linked with this weeks readings for Year A, 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time here

Bonnie Hebenton preaches about how Matariki and Harvest Festvial support each other.
In the pew sheet she writes
"As we come to this Harvest Festival Sunday, the opening line from Philippians 4 is perhaps what should be foremost in our minds: "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."

Harvest is a time of looking back over what has been, pausing to give thanks and resting before the work of the new season so that we can reap a harvest again in due course. In Aotearoa New Zealand we are fortunate to have the richness of Matariki (Māori New Year) celebrations interwoven into the traditional Harvest Festival season. During Matariki, across New Zealand, people come together to remember their ancestors, share food, sing, tell stories and play music.  The storehouses are full and there is time to reflect and celebrate.

Today we will be exploring some of the parables within the Matariki stories and how they encourage us to care for creation, and to honour and celebrate all that God the Creator has given us. As you wait for the celebration to begin this morning, take a few moments to think back over your year: remember special people; give thanks for the ways you have been able to contribute to your community; think of the ways you have cherished or disregarded the environment in your neighbourhood. As you reflect, hold these words from Deuteronomy 26:

God brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.  Amen. "